Sr. Data Analyst, Betty Li Gai, and Data Science Intern, Jacky Chan, recently presented recent community data mapping efforts at Rice University’s virtual 2020 Ken Kennedy Institute Data Science Conference. This year’s conference focused on the role of data analysis and computer processing in community relief efforts aimed at combatting COVID-19.
Their presentation, entitled "COVID-19 Community Risk Assessment" highlighted a new dashboard developed by PCIC’s data team, which was created to provide a thorough and clear “hotspot map” for areas of high-risk viral infection in Harris County, the 3rd most populous county in the country with over 4.7 million residents, as well as identifying areas suffering from a deficiency of critical resources. In both applications, zip codes were cross-referenced with social determinants of health (SDoH) data, which played a large role in structuring the maps. In order to construct the infectivity map, PCIC’s data analysts considered several factors, such as socio-economic status, food insecurity and transportation infrastructure to achieve a comprehensive understanding of usage patterns and needs.
This resulting risk score provides a standard metric that can be universally understood. Thus, this dashboard has the potential to provide tremendous insights to “decision-makers”, such as politicians and congressional representatives responsible for keeping communities safe through pragmatic policy, and residents, who will have a better understanding of the severity of the virus, the patterns of spread and areas to consider in their daily lives. Given the exponential nature of the community spread, every individual taking precautions has the potential to save dozens of lives.
Our data team continues to refine and enhance the dashboard’s usability and expand potential use cases. Our aim is to collaborate with relevant SMEs in the community and local government to enhance the model and offer more in-depth and comprehensive analysis to share with the community.
To read more about the process, and Jacky’s insights during the research phase, click here.
